2 hours ago
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Massimiliano Allegri is not an exciting coach. With him, you are not going to have moments of trickery often. Instead, AC Milan are expected to play a controlled game.
It would be disrespectful to call Allegri’s football style boring, and whilst it may seem it, it largely isn’t. His football is effective, and even when facing problems, he can make small tweaks to keep his team fighting.
On Friday, as this morning’s Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes, it was a change to the 4-3-3 which re-energised his team and granted them three points. However, this is not the main focus.
Skill in numbers
Instead, ‘Allegri’s skill’ is in the numbers, and how the team is performing. Whilst they are eight points behind Inter, albeit with a game in hand, they are seven points clear of fifth place, making a Champions League place much more viable.
Of course, the Scudetto race is more challenging than ever after the Nerazzurri’s win against Juventus. However, it has also brought more positivity regarding the Rossoneri’s chances of a top-four spot at the end of the season. Though the Italian has minimised chance, leaving it all to effectiveness.
After all, the 53 points gathered this season after 24 games have only been bettered once, by Carlo Ancelotti in the 2003-4 season, where the team was undeniably stronger as a whole. At that point, they sat on 61 points.
Focus remains
The focus moving forward then is to keep the run going. Although the unbeaten streak does not matter in Allegri’s mind, it is secondary compared to their Champions League qualification. Of course, it helps, but his team still make errors that need to be sorted.
Whether it be their ruthlessness in front of goal, or the difficulties against lower-ranked opposition. There is plenty to smile about, too, and the Diavolo have worked hard to be in this position. The end goal is in sight, but they are not there yet…
English (US) ·